Safety cable



5. CAMPBELL Feb. 6, 1951 SAFETY CABLE Filed Nov. 12, 1948 u e a 4 w m xSamuel Campbell Patented Feb. 6, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SAFETYCABLE Samuel Campbell, Chicago, Ill.

Application November 12, 1948, Serial No. 59,525

2 Claims.

This invention relates to novel and useful improvements in cable or ropeclamps.

An object of this invention is to support a bucket or other object whenthis bucket or object is being raised and lowered in a safe mannerthrough the utility of a clamp attached at one end firmly to a rope orcable, fasten an adjacent portion of the same rope or cable in theclamping device for sliding movement thereby simulating a lasso so thatthe object to be raised and lowered may be disposed in the loop, andwhile raising and lowering the loop may tighten against the objectthereby firmly clamping the same.

Another object of this invention is to supply an improved cable clampfor use with either cables or ropes which is composed of a pair ofseparable center sections, each section having a groove in the sidesthereof and caps disposed over both grooves, with means for retainingthe caps in assembled position.

Another purpose of this invention is to insure a firm lock between twosections forming the center block by passing a rod through openings inthe center block, which openings also extend through tongue and grooveconnection forming a portion of the sections clamping means.

Ancillary objects and features of novelty such as simplicity ofstructure will become apparent to those skilled in the art, in followingthe description of the preferred form of the invention.

illustrated in the accompanying drawings. wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevational side view of the preferred form of theinvention:

Figure 2 is an end view of the device shown in Figura 1;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 3 3 ofFigure 2 and in the direction of the arrows:

Figure 4 is a transverse section taken substantially on the line 4-4 ofFigure 1 and in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the section forming the center block,and;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of another section forming a part of thecenter block.

The instant device has many uses. Among the uses is the function of aconventional cable or rope clamp. An equally important use is aspecially provided rope clamp or cable clamp attachable to objects whichare raised and lowered such as tar buckets, bags of insulation and manyother objects utilized 'in Construction of buildings, repair ofbuildings etc.

A center block is composed of a pair of separable sections o and !2respectively. The section w is supplied with a groove |4 which extendsonly partially across the said section Hi. A tongue IS is fixed to theblock !2 and is substantially T- shaped in cross section in order tomatch with the shape of the groove l4. The said tongue IE fits into thegroove |4 thereby retaining the sections n and |2 together in a fashionso that they may be separated when it is found desirable.

In order to lock the sections together firmly and in such a manner thatinadvertent separation is virtually impossible, an opening 20 issupplied in the section o and also in the tongue !6. A rod or bar 22passes through the opening 20 thereby preventing relative movement ofone section with respect to the other.

Passages 24 and 26 respectively are provided in the sections ID and |2at spaced inter-vais. The passages are of suflicient size that the webslunnumbered) of the U-bolts and 28 respectively may pass therethroughwith a slight amount of lost motion.

The said U-bolts 28 and 30 respectively have nuts (unnumbered) at theends thereof. The said ends of the U-bolts extend through ears 32 whichare fixed to caps 34 and 35 respectively, one being supplied for eachsection lo and z respectively.

The sides of the sections lli and |2 respectively are provided withgrooves and 42 respectively accommodating a rope or cable 44. It isnoted that the caps 34 and 35 respectively have complemental grooves 45and 48 respectively also adapted to engage the rope or cable 44.

Viewing Figure 4 it is noted that the cable 44 is disposed on one sidebetween the cap 34 and the section lfl and more speciflcally in thegrooves 40 and 45 respectively. The nuts on the U-bolts 311 are drawndown tightly in order to firmly clamp this end of the rope 44.

The other end of the rope 44 is passed through a similar structure but,is rather loosely embraced in order that it may be free to slidetherethrough.

Accordingly, an object placed in the loop 50 formed in the rope isclamped firmly upon application of a force to the rope such as would beapplied in raising and lowering the object It is apparent that theheavier the object is, the tighter it will be clamped in the said loop50. This is to insure firm clamping of the object, tending to preventinadvertent falling. It is also apparent that when the object is atrest, the loop is easily removed since it loosens.

In splicing cables and ropes the instant device may be used to greatadvantage, particularly in jobs where temporary splicing is necessary.It is appreciated that one end of the first rope may be clamped in thegrooves 46 and 40, while an end of the rope to be added thereto issimply disposed in the grooves 42 and 48 respectively. Then. the U-bolttightened and the result is a spliced single rope.

It is also apparent that the clamp disclosed herewith may be used as aconventional cable clamp when the U-bolts 26 and 30 are Dulled tight,rather than When only one set of U-bolts is tightened.

certain variations may be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A clamp for ropes. cables and similar articles comprising a first andsecond block, means for releasably connecting said blocks. outwardlyopening article receiving grooves in one side of each of said hlocks,caps disposed over said g'ooves and having grooves in conrontingrelation with the first mentioned grooves, means adjustably andremovably attaching said caps to said blocks, said blocks connectingmeans comprising a tongue fixed to one of said blocks on the sideopposite the grooved side and a groove in the other block extendingpartially thereacross so that one end of said tongue abuts an end of thelast mentioned groove to thereby form a stopl 2. A clamp for ropes,cables and similar articles comprising a first and second block, meansfor releasably connecting said blocks, outwardly opening grooves in oneside of each of said blocks. caps disposed over said grooves and meansadjustably and removably attaching said caps to said blocks, said blocksconnecting means comprising a tongue fixed to one of said blocks and agroove in the other block extending only partially thereacross, a lockmember removably disposed in said tongue and groove, said caps fasteningmeans including a plurality of U-bolts carried by said blocks, aperturedears extending from said caps, and said U-bolts being passed through theapertures in said ears.

SAMUEL CAMPBELL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATE'NTS Number Name Date 562.550 Merritt June 23, 1896895,370 Hendershot et al. Aug. 4, 1908 l,001,380 Francis Aug. 22, 19111,170,429 Dunlap Feb. 1, 1916 13735212 Pawsat Nov. 12, 1929 1372395Iseman Aug. 5, 1930 l,976,533 Affleck et al. Oct. 9, 1934 2277.424 WhiteMar. 24, 1942 2,322-,583 Marshall June 22, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS NumberCountry Date %5,130 Italy Dec. 17, 1936

